Allowing US-based GM crop major Monsanto to intervene in the matter, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed it to raise objections to an expert committee’s recent interim report. The panel report recommended a moratorium on field trials of genetically modified crops for 10 years, which can be utilised to put a credible regulatory system in place to examine the potential impact of the technology.

A Bench, while asking the Centre and others to file their response to the report, allowed Monsanto to raise objections.

Opposing the recommendations of a 10-year moratorium, additional solicitor general Haren Rawal, appearing for the Centre, sought time to file its reply.

The apex court appointed a five-member technical expert committee on GM crops, which in its interim report recommended that all field trials should be stopped until conditions have been followed during the trial period, outsourcing/subcontracting of field trials be banned and representation on regulatory bodies be expanded.